The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-07-30

company of which l formed part,
was glowing JOY, and her absence
depressing void.
Among her numerous suitors was
a fellow clerk, who held a position
Of confidence under our employer
similar to our own, and who, when
we were alone together, was always
praising her sweetness and beauty
and proclaiming his own undying
love.
"Oh, fancy the golden moment
when shall be able to clasp her
dear little hand in mine, and call
her by the endearing name of wife y
he would sometimes eyclaim, or
use words of similar import; and
when | would as often turn aside,
to conceal the feelings that would
almost overpower me, he would
mistake the action for a dislike of
the subject.
Ah," he one day said to me, i
perceive my darling finds no favor
in your sight; and she knows you
do not like her; but for my sake !
trust that you will not let her see
that you absolutely hate the sight
of her person and the mention of
her name"
This tome, whose excess Of love
for the object in question was con-
suming me like an inward fire.
MAN p' cried /, turning upon
him with the glaring fury of a
beast, "If you loved that being
with one-tenth of the passion that
is destroying me, you would cut
your wagging tongue from your
gaping mouth ere you would per
NIT SO fppant a mention of so
sacred a name."
From that moment he ceased to
speak of her in my presence, and
/, feeling that she was lost to me
forever, only secretly worshipped
her from afar.
SO matters drifted on for a time,
and l became miserable over my
solitary brooding; and while |
wished myself far enough from the
scene of a rivals triumph, l shrank
from the thought of going where
should never look upon my idol
again.
One night, having forgotten
something at the store, / procured
the key from the porter and entered
the building.
To my surprise, l soon perceived
the glimmer of a light in the count
ing-room, and on approaching ii
cautiously, thinking there might be
a burglar at work, | was still more
surprised to see the safe door open,
and my rival seated on the floor,
apparently counting large roll OF
bank-notes.
Well, this looks like singular
night-work !" said |.
With a startled cry, he fairly
leaped to his feet, letting the money
fall around him. and turned to-
wards me one of the most CHASTITY
faces / ever beheld.
After looking straight in my face
for a few moments, during which
he shook and trembled, and his
very lips quievered, he stammered
out:
Wh-wh-why, is it you? Wha-
wha-what do you want?"
Suppose in turn | ask you what
you are doing with that open safe
and money at this untimely hOur?"
"Oh, that?" he answered, glanc-
ing down at the scattered bank
notes, and evidently recovering
himself with an effort. ala, ha y
he affected to laugh. "Do you
know, my dear fellow, | mistook
you for a burglar y
Instead of yourself, eh?"
"The fact is, you see, my dear
friend"
"Suppose you leave the 'dear
friend out" interrupted.
"Well, then," he cody went on,
"the fact is that after going home
the idea came into my head that
had made a mistake in my money
report; and as the governor. you
know (meaning our employer, is
very particular about trifles, and
might discover it before l should
get a chance to make correction,
| thought l had better attend to it
at once"
"And doubtless you found an
error, which you were about to set
right I" l said with a sneer which
he seemed not to notice.
"Oh, yes, / think there was an
error; but l am not quite sure, be-
cause of your interruption. l shall
have to go all over the money again.
And now that / have accounted fOr
my presence here, suppose you do
the same," he added, giving me a
searching look.
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